GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

An Internet campaign has come to the rescue of an 80-year-old man in the USA who was reduced to selling firewood on the roadside to pay for his wife's medical bills. Octogenarian Kenneth Smith spent hours a day selling kindling for $5 a bag. He started last year and was then helped by his wife of over 30 years, Helen, who was dying of lung cancer. Tragically, she lost her battle in October and Mr Smith was left with crippling hospital fees, which wiped out his life savings. A local woman, Jessica Pittman, saw Mr Smith and posted a Facebook message urging people to help him. Her post has been shared over 9,000 times and motorists have stopped their car to give Mr Smith some cash.

Ms Pittman's kind deed encouraged Mr Smith's son to go a step further and set up an online appeal. He created a page at the website GoFundMe and donations soon came flooding in from all corners of the Earth. The online campaign raised $20,000 in three days. Ms Pittman told the BBC that she had "no clue" her actions would prompt such generosity. She said: "Although it will not lessen the heartache of losing his wife, I am thankful it will at least take a little worry off of his plate and help him make ends meet." Mr Smith said he has been "overwhelmed" with the response. He added that even though his wife wasn't by his side, he still feels her presence, "because she's looking down on me," he said.

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. ONLINE CAMPAIGNS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about online campaigns. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. OCTOGENEARIANS: Students A strongly believe people aged 8- and over should receive free health care; Students B strongly believe they shouldn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. INTERNET CAMPAIGNS: Discuss the following with your partner(s). What are your ideas for the campaign video? How do you spread the word online? Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Presidential election

Visit Tokyo

Help children in need

The new iPhone 10

Stop influenza

Drive carefully

MY e-BOOK

5. HOSPITAL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "hospital". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. BILLS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

bag
savings
reduced
crippling
motorists
rescue
urging
battle

An Internet campaign has come to the (1) ____________ of an 80-year-old man in the USA who was (2) ____________ to selling firewood on the roadside to pay for his wife's medical bills. Octogenarian Kenneth Smith spent hours a day selling kindling for $5 a (3) ____________. He started last year and was then helped by his wife of over 30 years, Helen, who was dying of lung cancer. Tragically, she lost her (4) ____________ in October and Mr Smith was left with (5) ____________ hospital fees, which wiped out his life (6) ____________. A local woman, Jessica Pittman, saw Mr Smith and posted a Facebook message (7) ____________ people to help him. Her post has been shared over 9,000 times and (8) ____________ have stopped their car to give Mr Smith some cash.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

presence
deed
appeal
ends
clue
response
flooding
heartache

Ms Pittman's kind (9) ____________ encouraged Mr Smith's son to go a step further and set up an online (10) ____________. He created a page at the website GoFundMe and donations soon came (11) ____________ in from all corners of the Earth. The online campaign raised $20,000 in three days. Ms Pittman told the BBC that she had "no (12) ____________ " her actions would prompt such generosity. She said: "Although it will not lessen the (13) ____________ of losing his wife, I am thankful it will at least take a little worry off of his plate and help him make (14) ____________ meet." Mr Smith said he has been "overwhelmed" with the (15) ____________. He added that even though his wife wasn't by his side, he still feels her (16) ____________, "because she's looking down on me," he said.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) an 80-year-old man in the USA who was reduced to selling firewood ______
a. in the roadside
b. on the roadside
c. on the road's side
d. in the road sides

2) He started last year and was then helped by his wife ______ years
a. of more 30
b. of late 30
c. of over 30
d. of moreover 30

3) she lost her battle in October and Mr Smith was left with ______ fees
a. crippling hospitalise
b. crippling hospitals
c. crippling hospital
d. crippling hospitality

4) Jessica Pittman, saw Mr Smith and posted a Facebook message ______ help
a. purging people to
b. urchin people to
c. urgent people to
d. urging people to

5) Her post has been shared over 9,000 times and ______ stopped
a. motor wrists have
b. motorists have
c. no tourists have
d. motor lists have

6) encouraged Mr Smith's son to go a step further and set up ______
a. the online appeals
b. the online appeal
c. an online appeals
d. an online appeal

7) donations soon came flooding in from all ______ Earth
a. edges of the
b. concerns of the
c. borders of the
d. corners of the

8) Ms Pittman told the BBC that she had "no clue" her actions would ______ generosity
a. prompt much
b. prompt touch
c. prompt such
d. prompt this

9) I am thankful it will at least take a little worry off of his plate and help ______ meet
a. him make ends
b. him take ends
c. him bake ends
d. him wake ends

10) He added that even though his wife wasn't by his side, he still feels ______
a. her presence
b. her presents
c. her pleasant
d. her pretense

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

An Internet campaign (1) ___________________ the rescue of an 80-year-old man in the USA who (2) ___________________ selling firewood on the roadside to pay for his wife's medical bills. Octogenarian Kenneth Smith spent (3) ___________________ selling kindling for $5 a bag. He started last year and was then helped by his wife of over 30 years, Helen, who was dying of lung cancer. Tragically, (4) ___________________ battle in October and Mr Smith was left with crippling hospital fees, which (5) ___________________ life savings. A local woman, Jessica Pittman, saw Mr Smith and posted a Facebook message (6) ___________________ help him. Her post has been shared over 9,000 times and motorists have stopped their car to give Mr Smith some cash.

Ms Pittman's (7) ___________________ encouraged Mr Smith's son to go a step further and set up an online appeal. He created a page at the website GoFundMe and donations soon came (8) ___________________ all corners of the Earth. The online campaign raised $20,000 in three days. Ms Pittman told the BBC that she (9) ___________________ her actions would prompt such generosity. She said: "Although it (10) ___________________ the heartache of losing his wife, I am thankful it will at least take a little worry off of his plate and help him (11) ___________________." Mr Smith said he has been "overwhelmed" with the response. He added that even though his wife wasn't by his side, (12) ___________________ presence, "because she's looking down on me," he said.

Comprehension questions

How old was the man who had to sell firewood?

For how much did the man sell his bags of kindling?

For how long was the man married?

What did the hospital fees wipe out?

How many times did a Facebook post get shared?

Who set up a web page for Mr Smith?

From where did donations come flooding in?

How much did the online campaign raise?

What did Ms Pittman say the generosity would help Mr Smith with?

What does Mr Smith still feel?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How old was the man who had to sell firewood?
a) 70
b) 75
c) 80
d) 85

2) For how much did the man sell his bags of kindling?
a) $5
b) $6
c) $7
d) $8

3) For how long was the man married?
a) over 30 years
b) 28 years
c) a year
d) 3 years

Role play

Role A — Medical Bills

You think medical bills are the most important. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their bills/fees aren't as important. Also, tell the others which are the least important of these (and why): school fees, credit card bills or electricity bills.

Role B — School Fees

You think school fees are the most important. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their bills/fees aren't as important. Also, tell the others which are the least important of these (and why): medical bills, credit card bills or electricity bills.

Role C — Credit Card Bills

You think credit card bills are the most important. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their bills/fees aren't as important. Also, tell the others which are the least important of these (and why): school fees, medical bills or electricity bills.

Role D — Role D – Electricity Bills

You think electricity bills are the most important. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their bills/fees aren't as important. Also, tell the others which are the least important of these (and why): school fees, credit card bills or medical bills.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

kind

soon

clue

lessen

meet

down

rescue

pay

30

battle

posted

car

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Man sells firewood to pay wife's medical bills

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

What did you think when you read the headline?

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'bills'?

How sad is it an 80-year-old struggles to pay hospital bills?

Should all governments provide free health care?

What do you think about what you read?

What would you do at 80 if you needed money?

How good is social media at helping people in need?

What do you think of Ms Pittman's kind deed?

How would you feel if your life savings were wiped out?

What advice do you have for Mr Smith?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

What was the last kind deed you did?

Have you ever given money to an online charity or appeal page?

What do you think of people asking for financial help online?

Why do we say 'all corners of the Earth' when the Earth is round?

How generous are you?

Do you find it difficult to make ends meet?

When was the last time someone's kindness overwhelmed you?

What else can people do to help Mr Smith?

What questions would you like to ask Mr Smith?

Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

An Internet campaign has come to (1) ____ rescue of an 80-year-old man in the USA who was reduced (2) ____ selling firewood on the roadside to pay for his wife's medical bills. Octogenarian Kenneth Smith spent hours a day selling kindling for $5 a bag. He started last year and was then helped by his wife of (3) ____ 30 years, Helen, who was dying of lung cancer. Tragically, she (4) ____ her battle in October and Mr Smith was left with crippling hospital fees, which (5) ____ out his life savings. A local woman, Jessica Pittman, saw Mr Smith and posted a Facebook message (6) ____ people to help him. Her post has been shared over 9,000 times and motorists have stopped their car to give Mr Smith some cash.

Ms Pittman's kind (7) ____ encouraged Mr Smith's son to go a step further and set up an online appeal. He created a page at the website GoFundMe and donations soon came flooding in from all (8) ____ of the Earth. The online campaign raised $20,000 in three days. Ms Pittman told the BBC that she had "no (9) ____" her actions would prompt such generosity. She said: "Although it will not (10) ____ the heartache of losing his wife, I am thankful it will at least take a little worry off of his (11) ____ and help him make ends meet." Mr Smith said he has been "overwhelmed" with the response. He added that even though his wife wasn't by his side, he still feels her (12) ____, "because she's looking down on me," he said.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) the (b) do (c) have (d) a

(a) by (b) at (c) to (d) of

(a) more (b) post (c) over (d) after

(a) competed (b) fought (c) met (d) lost

(a) polished (b) smeared (c) wiped (d) erased

(a) urged (b) urging (c) urgent (d) purging

(a) did (b) deed (c) dead (d) done

(a) edges (b) corners (c) borders (d) concerns

(a) glue (b) crew (c) clue (d) crow

(a) less (b) lesson (c) listen (d) lessen

(a) dish (b) bowl (c) saucer (d) plate

(a) pretense (b) pleasant (c) presents (d) presence

Spelling

Paragraph 1

come to the eseurc

iaogtarcnneo Kenneth Smith

gtlalacryi, she lost her battle

Mr Smith was left with irpiplncg hospital fees

a Facebook message igurgn people to help

toirosmst have stopped their car

Paragraph 2

set up an online papela

The online cmpgaani

her actions would prompt such niestorgye

it will not enslse the heartache

he has been wmeldehreov with the response

he still feels her prcesene

Put the text back together

( ) post has been shared over 9,000 times and motorists have stopped their car to give Mr Smith some cash.

( ) of the Earth. The online campaign raised $20,000 in three days. Ms Pittman told the BBC that she had "no

( ) clue" her actions would prompt such generosity. She said: "Although it will not lessen the heartache of

( ) losing his wife, I am thankful it will at least take a little worry off of his plate and help him make ends

( ) savings. A local woman, Jessica Pittman, saw Mr Smith and posted a Facebook message urging people to help him. Her

( ) his side, he still feels her presence, "because she's looking down on me," he said.

( 1 ) An Internet campaign has come to the rescue of an 80-year-old man in the USA who was reduced

( ) Ms Pittman's kind deed encouraged Mr Smith's son to go a step further and set up an online

( ) to selling firewood on the roadside to pay for his wife's medical bills. Octogenarian Kenneth Smith spent

( ) battle in October and Mr Smith was left with crippling hospital fees, which wiped out his life

( ) appeal. He created a page at the website GoFundMe and donations soon came flooding in from all corners

( ) hours a day selling kindling for $5 a bag. He started last year and was then helped by his wife

( ) of over 30 years, Helen, who was dying of lung cancer. Tragically, she lost her

( ) meet." Mr Smith said he has been "overwhelmed" with the response. He added that even though his wife wasn't by

Put the words in the right order

rescue the to come has campaign Internet An .

year and was then helped by his wife He started last .

hospital his fees life which savings wiped Crippling out .

has over 9,000 post shared Her been times .

some cash Motorists have stopped their car to give Mr Smith .

Go further up appeal step set online a and an .

flooding all the came from of Donations in corners Earth .

losing It lessen of wife not heartache his will the .

he the has response been Smith overwhelmed said with .

he his wife Even still side wasn't though feels , by his her .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

An Internet campaign has come to the rescued / rescue of an 80-year-old man in the USA who was reduced / reducing to selling firewood on the roadside to pay for his wife's medical billing / bills. Octogenarian Kenneth Smith spent hours / hour a day selling kindling for $5 a bag. He started last year and was then helped by his wife of / at over 30 years, Helen, who was dying of lung cancer. Tragically, she lost / loses her battle in October and Mr Smith was left with crippling hospital fee / fees, which wiped out / in his life savings. A local woman, Jessica Pittman, saw Mr Smith and posted a Facebook message urging / urgently people to help him. Her post has been shared over 9,000 times and motorists / motors have stopped their car to give Mr Smith some cash.

Ms Pittman's kind deed / indeed encouraged Mr Smith's son to go a step / stair further and set up an online appeal. He created a page at the website GoFundMe and donations soon came floods / flooding in from all corners / edges of the Earth. The online campaign risen / raised $20,000 in three days. Ms Pittman told the BBC that she had "no clue" her actions would prompt such generous / generosity. She said: "Although it will not lessen / least the heartache of losing his wife, I am thankful it will at least take a little worry off of his saucer / plate and help him make ends meet / agree." Mr Smith said he has been "overwhelmed" with the response. He added that even though his wife wasn't by his side, he still feels her presents / presence, "because she's looking down on me," he said.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

an internet campaign has come to the rescue of an 80-year-old man in the usa who was reduced to selling firewood on the roadside to pay for his wife's medical bills octogenarian kenneth smith spent hours a day selling kindling for $5 a bag he started last year and was then helped by his wife of over 30 years helen who was dying of lung cancer tragically she lost her battle in october and mr smith was left with crippling hospital fees which wiped out his life savings a local woman jessica pittman saw mr smith and posted a facebook message urging people to help him her post has been shared over 9000 times and motorists have stopped their car to give mr smith some cash

ms pittman's kind deed encouraged mr smith's son to go a step further and set up an online appeal he created a page at the website gofundme and donations soon came flooding in from all corners of the earth the online campaign raised $20000 in three days ms pittman told the bbc that she had "no clue" her actions would prompt such generosity she said "although it will not lessen the heartache of losing his wife i am thankful it will at least take a little worry off of his plate and help him make ends meet" mr smith said he has been "overwhelmed" with the response he added that even though his wife wasn't by his side he still feels her presence "because she's looking down on me" he said